By DOTTY NIST
Walton County is scheduled to consider repealing all county ordinances related to firearms and ammunition.
Commissioners have voted to take up the matter at their second regular meeting in August. The decision to consider the repeal took place at the July 26 Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) regular meeting at the Walton County Courthouse.
The decision was prompted by a recommendation by Lynn Hoshihara, county attorney.
Hoshihara commented that, due to the passage of House Bill 45, which amends Florida Statute 790, in the 2011 session of the Florida Legislature, the county could face penalties, among those fines of up to $5,000, removal of an official or officials from office, or third degree felony charges, if local firearms and ammunition ordinances were left in place.
Hoshihara explained that the intent of the new state legislation had been to create consistent laws regarding firearms and ammunition for all of the state’s counties so that regulations did not change based on county borders.
Hoshihara said that, upon repeal of the local ordinances, state statute would apply to firearms and ammunition in the county.
The matter is scheduled to be taken up at the Aug. 23 regular BCC meeting, which is to begin at 9 a.m. and take place at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs.